Celebrity Barging

Michael Buerk, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris and John Prescott set off for a spooky trip through Staffordshire's 1.5-mile-long Harecastle Tunnel. However, Shaun Williamson opts instead to visit the grave of James Brindley, the man who designed the tunnel, but never saw it completed. After joining the Macclesfield Canal, Amanda and Anita head to a barge-based artist's studio for a gentle afternoon of sketching, while Shaun and Michael head to 18th-century folly Mow Cop. This leg of the journey ends at Congleton, homing in on an unsung local heroine of the Suffragette movement.

In Warwickshire, Michael Buerk, Shaun Williamson, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris and John Prescott settle into new boats, then head out to conquer the Grand Union Canal. First, however, there is the small question of the 21-lock flight at Hatton as the five meet some of the volunteers who restore the locks and keep then functioning. Amanda takes a detour to Warwick Castle in search of her ancestors, while Sean and John, discover the unique joys of sheep-racing. Deep into Shakespeare country, Michael tries to find the famous local pies he remembers from his youth.

Michael Buerk, Shaun Williamson, Amanda Barrie, Anita Harris and John Prescott head up the Stratford-on-Avon canal into the heart of Shakespeare country, where they whip up some Elizabethan gin and play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.